The Boat Trips On Offer In St Ives
You can't come on a visit to St Ives and not go on a boat trip. The seas around the coast are stunning and being out on the sea looking back at the land is breathtaking. The change in perspective always amazes me, especially seeing the town from the sea. It looks so different!
There are 2 main trips which the boats take from St Ives - Seal Island and Godrevy.
From what I understand the skippers choose according to the weather and what there is to see on the day of your trip.
Seal Island
This journey takes you about 3.5 miles down the coast, hugging the coastline. You will go round The Island, past Porthmeor Beach, round Clodgy Point and down the coast. Seal Island is a rocky outcrop before you get to Zennor and is the home of a colony of Atlantic Grey Seals. The boats can get quite close to the rocks where you can see the seals sunbathing. The captains usually linger here for about 15 minutes, before making the return journey back up the coast.
Godrevy Lighthouse
This journey takes you right across St Ives Bay and over to the Godrevy Lighthouse, which stands at the Northern end of the bay. Godrevy Lighthouse marks the Stones reef and was made famous by the Virginia Woolf novel "To The Lighthouse" (she could see it from her house on Talland Road in St Ives). The journey takes you past Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay and the stretch of 3 miles of golden sand of the Hayle Beaches. Near Godrevy lighthouse is Mutton Cove, which is another colony of Atlantic Grey Seals. Depending on the sea conditions, you will get to see the lighthouse towering close above you, which is really impressive!
St Ives Beaches & Coves
This other boat journey takes you up the coast, past Porthminster Beach and Carbis Bay, out towards Porthkidney Sands and Hayle Estuary. It then comes back and heads to The Island, before returning past Porthgwidden Beach, Smeaton's Pier, and back into the harbour. The focus of this trip is all about fascinating facts about St Ives, the local wildlife and the sea.
This journey takes you up the coast, past Porthminster Beach and Carbis Bay, out towards Porthkidney Sands and Hayle Estuary. It then comes back and heads to The Island, before returning past Porthgwidden Beach, Smeaton's Pier, and back into the harbour. The focus of this trip is all about fascinating facts about St Ives, the local wildlife and the sea.
Wildlife In The Area
Look out for
- lots of seals
- dolphins (both common and bottlenose)
- Risso dolphin (less common)
- Sunfish
- Whales (minke but others too)
- Basking sharks (becoming less common)
- Seabirds including cormorants drying their wings
- Lots of jelly fish in the warmer months
Please do be aware that despite their best efforts, the boat trip operators cannot guarantee sightings of wildlife. You will have a high probability of seeing something, especially the seals which are there all year round, but dophins, whales and sharks are more tricky to predict!
Rough Seas
Please do be aware that the running of the trips is weather and sea dependent. If conditions are too rough or the weather too harsh, the trips will be cancelled.
Boat Trips on The Great St Ives Pasty Dash Game
We of course had to include boat trips in our game, The Great St Ives Pasty Dash. After all, what would a trip to St Ives be without going on a wonderful boat trip?
How To Book A Boat Trip
Most of the boat operators have stands and helpers around the harbour slipways. When they boats are running there are boat touts (nice ones!) by the RNLI station, over by The Sloop slipway, and there is a kiosk on Smeaton's Pier.
You can also easily book a trip online or ring them to book.
Wavedancer
Wavedancer boat is run by John and Mel with Frank the dog. John, the skipper, talks of the history the town has to offer, the smuggling and the shipwrecks. He’s a born and bred St Ives man, so knows everything there is to know about St Ives! He’s also served with the RNLI here for over 30 years, now as head launcher.
- well behaved dogs are welcome
- family friends
- lasts about an hour
- adults cost £20 and children under 12 cost £15
- WiSe accredited
Contact: 07967 902916 or visit their facebook page here >>
Click here to read all about my boat trip on Wavedancer St Ives >>
Dolly P - St Ives Boats
Dolly P is the lovely grey/blue blue boat in the harbour. It runs trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse. It is the one I see most regularly going to seal island when I'm walking on the cliffs by Clodgy. They seem to be very busy!
- dog friendly
- they offer one hour and two hour trips
- suitable for all ages
- one hour - adults £25, under 12s £15, dogs and under ones go free
- wildlife safe operator
Nemo Glass Bottom Boat Trips
Nemo is one of the largest glass bottomed boats in the UK. It has eight glass viewing panels which lets you get amazing views of the wildlife from both above and below the sea. They run trips to both Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse.
- dog friendly
- lasts about 1 and a quarter hours
- suitable for all ages
- adults £35, children £25, dogs and under ones go free
The Black Pearl St Ives - Boat Trips St Ives
The Black Pearl offers trips to either Seal Island, Godrevy Lighthouse, or Mackerel Fishing.
- dog friendly
- Seal Island and Godrevy trips last about 1 and a quarter hours
- Mackerel Fishing trips last about 1 and a half hours
- £25 for adults, under 16s £15 - under ones go free
- Mackerel Fishing costs £30 per person
Tiger Lilly - St Ives Boat Cruises
Tiger Lilly is the beautiful 39ft yellow boat which takes passengers to either Seal Island or Godrevy Lighthouse. They are family and dog friendly and are one of the longest running boat trips run by a local family.
- dog friendly
- the trips last approx 1 hour
- adults £25, children £15 and under ones go free
- mackerel fishing trips are also available
Seahorse Boat Trips
The Seahorse runs trips to either Seal Island or Godrevy Lighthouse. It is the oldest running boat trip in St Ives, offering pleasure cruises from the harbour for nearly 40 years!
- dog friendly
- the trips last approximately 1 hour
- adults £25, under 12s £15 and under ones go free
The Little Mermaid - St Ives Sea Trips
The Little Mermaids runs fun , family friendly trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse.
- dog friendly - on a leash please
- the trips last about an hour
- adults £25, children 12s £15 and under ones go free
Primetime
Primetime have been running trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse since 2007.
- dog friendly
- Adults £25, children £20
- private charters and fishing trips are also available
James Stevens No 10 - St Ives Lifeboat
Built in 1899 James Stevens No.10 served as the St Ives Lifeboat from 1900 to 1933 saving 225 lives in those years. Now lovingly and carefully restored our historical boat trip offers a chance to explore the bay and Godrevy Lighthouse on a truly iconic vessel.
- dog friendly
- lasts about 1.5 hours
- suitable for all ages
- aduilts £25, under 12s £15, dogs and under ones go free
I'm not sure if this boat is in the water yet - as of May 2024. I've not seen it in the harbour yet.
Where To Board The Boats
Depending on the tide, there are 3 places you will be told to go to to board your boat.
Boarding Point A - West Pier
To get there, walk along the harbour to the RNLI station and turn left behind the barriers and walk along West Pier. There are some steps down to the boats just behind the boarding point sign.
Boarding Point B - Rampers (behind Smeaton's Pier)
This one is only accessible at low tide. Walk towards Smeaton's Pier and just by the loos there you will see a slipway. At low tide you will see a jetty stretching out into the sea. This is where you will board your boat.
Boarding Point C - at the end of Smeaton's Pier
Walk all the way down to the end of Smeaton's Pier. You will see some steps down to the boats by the sign.
**Disclaimer**
I have tried to be as accurate as I can with times and prices etc. Please always check with the boat operator for the most up to date information as this may sometimes change. I have nothing to do with the running of any of the boats - 100% land lubber here.
If there are any other St Ives boat trips you think should be on here, please contact me and I will do my best to add it.
